In addition to being top rated for quality and customer satisfaction, Diamond Certified companies are known for providing Helpful Expertise®. This is especially true for companies whose owners and managers have become Diamond Certified Expert Contributors by sharing their industry knowledge via articles and videos on the Diamond Certified website. In 2021, the number of Diamond Certified Expert Contributors continued to grow, bringing another abundant harvest of Helpful Expertise. In this first installment of a two-part series, we’ve published 10 of this year’s top expert tips.
Alex Galvan — Owner, The Car Doctor
Smog Test Helper
When it comes to smog testing an older vehicle, a simple store-bought product can make the difference between passing and failing. CRC Guaranteed to Pass® is a fuel additive that’s designed to reduce CO, HC and nitrogen oxide emissions in older vehicles that are on the borderline of passing smog.
Liliana Reyes-Avalos — Owner, The Magic Mop, Inc.
Freshening Your Garbage Disposal
Use the following combination to prevent garbage disposal odors: one teaspoon of baking soda, one quartered lemon or lime and three drops of dish soap. Insert these down the drain, run some water and turn on the disposal. Repeating this step weekly will keep your garbage disposal clean and odor-free.
Rick Sutherland— CEO, ClickAway
Home Wi-Fi Upgrade
Is everyone in your household vying for access to the same Wi-Fi signal? A great solution is upgrading to a Wi-Fi 6 router. By evenly distributing bandwidth across several devices (rather than letting one device hog most of it), a Wi-Fi 6 router improves efficiency and performance for streaming, gaming, and downloading.
Dr. Alfred B. dela Cruz — Owner, Alfred B. dela Cruz, DDS
Using a Waterpik®
A good alternative to floss is a Waterpik, which employs pressurized water to clean food and bacteria out from between the teeth. Simply fill the reservoir with warm water before use; for extra cleaning strength, add a capful of mouthwash. With routine use, a Waterpik can help you maintain healthy gums.
Avi Edri — Owner, Edri Construction
Choosing Bathroom Tile
When choosing tile for a bathroom remodel, considering opting for large tiles. Large tiles mean less grout, and less grout means easier cleaning, as well as a lower potential for water intrusion issues to occur. Additionally, large tiles are aesthetically pleasing for use in bathroom walls and flooring.
Tim Hassler — CFO, Hassler Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
Air Filter Smoke Protection
In California, it’s important to consider smoke protection when choosing an HVAC air filter. While a high-efficiency MERV 13 filter can help mitigate smoke, you’ll get better protection by upgrading to a MERV 16 filter, which is rated to remove smoke.
Cheryl Tarik-El — Managing Partner, We Love Small Jobs Handyman Services – Remodelers & Builders
Contacting a Contractor
When reaching out to a contractor for an estimate, be sure to leave a detailed message that includes your name, phone number, location, property type (house, condo, etc.) and a description of the services needed. Since contractors are often inundated with calls, this will improve your chances of receiving a response.
Jean-Claude Rochat — President, Arborist Now, Inc.
Tree Selection
Most of the tree problems that arborists encounter stem from poor selection and/or planting. That’s why it’s important to select a tree that makes sense for the location you’re planting in. Research the tree’s ideal soil conditions, seasonal behavior, and irrigation and maintenance needs.
Derrick Tracey — Owner, Derrick Tracey Custom Tile & Marble
Advice for a Kitchen Backsplash
When remodeling your kitchen, take the opportunity to get creative with the backsplash. Rather than choosing a uniform surface like granite slab, consider going with a versatile option like tile. A tile contractor can create a custom backsplash design that will give your new kitchen a pop of visual intrigue.
Albert Nahman — Owner, Albert Nahman Plumbing, Heating and Cooling
Washing Machine Supply Hoses
A washing machine’s supply hoses operate at full pressure 24/7, which leaves them vulnerable to bursting. To prevent a flooding disaster, replace your washing machine supply hoses every other year. Consider upgrading to braided hoses, which are more durable and less likely to burst than rubber hoses.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of this blog series on Thursday. In the meantime, you can visit our Diamond Certified Expert Reports Hub for more tips, including full-length articles and videos.